A study of the factors that influence performance in english language at the Kenya Certificate of Education in selected secondary schools in Kiambu district

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Date
2012-05-30
Authors
Gecaga, C.M.
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Abstract
The purpose of this project was to study the factors that influence performance in English language at the Kenya certificate of education in selected secondary schools in Kiambu district. Three schools were selected ad each represented a specific category as follows: Alliance high school- representing very good KCE performance Chania high school-representing average KCE performance Ruiru secondary school-representing poor KCE performance. The sample comprised of all the teachers of English in the three schools. The total was sixteen five from alliance, seven from Chania and four from Ruiru. They were asked to respond to a questionnaire that was designed to elicit data on the teachers qualifications and experience; the relationship between the students performance in English at CPE and KCE; the facilities relevant to the teaching of English, and the teaching methodology. The data on KCE performance in English from 1983-1985 was gathered from school records. It was discovered that all the teachers in the three schools had received professional training thought not all of them had been trained to teach english. All the teachers in Alliance were graduates. In the other two schools, the majority were also graduates. It can be said that there was not much difference in the qualifications of teachers in the three schools. It was apparent that quite a big proportion if the teachers, especially in Ruiru, did not participate in any professional activities. The data seemed to indicate that there was a relationship between performance in English at CPE and performance at KCE. Alliance admitted students with better grades in English at CPE than Chania or Ruiru and at KCE Alliance candidates scored much better grades. Chania and Ruiru admitted about the sample quality of students and although Chania produced better grades than Ruiru at KCE, the difference was not big. The facilities also seemed to influence performance because alliance proved to have adequate and superior facilities than the others. The respondents intimated that lack of relevant facilities was a major handicap. The teachers seemed to concentrate on the teaching of writing skills and many found it difficult to teach speaking skills. A number of respondents seemed unsure of the appropriate methodology for imparting the language skills.
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Department of English & Linguistics, 64p.The PE 1068.K4 G4 1986
Keywords
English language--Study and teaching (secondary)--Kenya
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